Barça discusses with federation to prevent a new marathon season

Barcelona's proactive approach to managing the workload of its young stars, Lamine Yamal and Pau Cubarsí, reflects a broader strategy to prevent burnout and injuries that can plague prodigious talents early in their careers.

The club's experience with Pedri, who played an exhausting number of matches at a young age, including both the Euro 2021 and the Tokyo Olympics, has served as a cautionary tale. Pedri's subsequent frequent injuries highlighted the potential risks of an overloaded playing schedule for young athletes.

The management at Barcelona is particularly concerned about the physical and mental strain on Yamal and Cubarsí, especially given their young ages and the high expectations placed on them. Both players have already demonstrated their immense talent and resilience, featuring prominently for both their club and the national team early in their careers. However, Barcelona is keen to avoid repeating past mistakes by ensuring that these young players are not overused.

The discussions with the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) are part of Barcelona's efforts to protect its players while also respecting the regulatory frameworks of international competitions. The club's stance is that if Yamal and Cubarsí are heavily involved in the Euros, it would be in their best interest to skip the subsequent Olympic Games to recover and prepare for the upcoming club season. This decision-making process is guided by the knowledge that while the Euros are mandatory for player release according to UEFA regulations, the Olympics do not fall under FIFA's jurisdiction, giving clubs more discretion over the participation of their players.

Barcelona's approach goes beyond mere player management; it is about setting a precedent for how clubs handle the burgeoning careers of their most promising young talents. This policy is not just about protecting the players' immediate physical well-being but also about safeguarding their long-term careers. By potentially limiting their participation in back-to-back international tournaments, Barcelona hopes to ensure that these young stars have the longevity to perform at peak levels for many seasons to come. This careful balancing act between club and country obligations, player health, and career trajectory is becoming increasingly crucial as the international football calendar becomes ever more demanding.